Pune Warriors will play in new stadium, which they can now claim as real home as it is based in their own city, Pune. They would like to celebrate the inagurual ceremony to continue even after the match, with a victory against MI. But, MI looks dangerous this season. Can Ganguly’s Warriors take the battle to Indians!!
Mumbai Indian’s IPL History
Mumbai Indians is one of the best performer of Indian Premier League. It’s star-fill line up have earned them a respectable performance in IPL and a championship win of CLT20 2011.
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In 2008, Mumbai Indians won 7 and lost 7.
In 2009, MI has their worst performance as they registered only 5 wins compared to 8 losses. 1 match was abandoned.
In 2010, Mumbai Indians led by Sachin from front rocked IPL and entered the final. MI won 11 matches and lost just 5.
In 2010, Mumbai Indians led by Sachin from front rocked IPL and entered the final. MI won 11 matches and lost just 5.
In 2011, MI finished third winning 10 and losing 6.
With 33 wins and 26 losses MI has been a better team, and are eyeing their first IPL victory in 2012.
Pune’s IPL Record
Pune Warriors escaped finishing at the bottom of 2011 Points Table because of a better NRR than DD. They just won 4 matches, lost 9 and drew one match in their inaugural edition of 2011.
With the learnings from the failures of 2012, Warriors may emerge as a challenging force.
History
Mumbai Indians won both the matches against Pune Warriors in 2011.
Mumbai Indians defeated Pune Warriors in a close match at home. Munaf Patel rocked them with his slow fast bowling. They could score only 118 runs. Yuvraj went for duck, Uthappa was the highest scorer. Still the PWI bowlers made a match of it and MI could win only on the last ball of the match.
The Second match saw Rahul Sharma emerging as the star performer but could not help his team avoid defeat, when Warriors failed to chase the target of 161 runs at Mumbai-based home.
Head-to-Head: MI 2, PWI 0
- MI def PWI by 7 wkts
MI def PWI by 21 runs
Who Will Win Today
With MI being in top form, considering the thumping they gave to defending champion CSK at Chennai, Ganguly’s men may start the 2012 campaign on undesired note of losing. MI is playing with full strength, while Pune Warriors do not have the luxury of opting Clarke and Angelo for the match.
Ganguly’s captaincy may help Rahul Sharma, Nathan McCullum, Samuels and other bowlers dominate the Mumbai Indians in the inaugural match at their Home stadium in Pune, but how will Tamim Iqbal, Ryder, Ganguly, Uthappa and others tackle the strong bowling unit of MI!! They failed twice last year chasing decent totals.
Under Harbhajan, MI looks more aggressive. Pune Warriors need extraordinary game from their batsmen to create an upset.
Key Battles
Malinga/Harbhajan vs Ganguly/Tamim/Uthappa
Malinga and Harbhajan can rock the Warrios bottom right in the first 6 overs. But, if Ganguly’s experience, Tamim’s falmbuoyance and Uthappa’s calculated aggression can join hand, Warriors may end up similing.
Rahul Sharma vs MI Batsmen
Rahul Sharma’s IPL perfomance, specially against Tendulkar in the 2 matches earned him Indian Cap. For Mumbai Indians, he may be the key bowler to tackle again. Although, he earned the MOM in the second match, Rahul knows his business is not finished unless he takes his side to victory. At home, he may have the upper hand.
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